F1: Verstappen calls COTA bumps “unacceptable” before US GP
The newsroomUpdated on October 23, 20263 minAhead of the F1 United States GP in Austin, Max Verstappen slams the COTA bumps, and Russell and Norris agree. Here is what the drivers said.
Key point
On the eve of United States GP practice, Max Verstappen says the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas are out of control and wants major work, backed by Russell and Norris.
Max Verstappen opened the United States Grand Prix weekend with an attack on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin. At Thursday's media day, the Red Bull driver called the bumps on the track “unacceptable” and “out of control”, and said he fears the consequences for drivers' spines.
What Verstappen is complaining about
According to The Race, Verstappen fears F1 drivers will suffer “much more” damage if the problem is not addressed. He says COTA still looked “extremely badly bumpy” when the World Endurance Championship (WEC) raced there in September 2026.
He places the worst bumps in the braking zones into slow corners, including the end of the long back straight. He believes the current cars are less comfortable there than the ground-effect cars of 2022 to 2025.
Verstappen also gave figures: last year he took about 5-6G in a corner, but more than 9G vertically on his spine from impacts. He adds that his spine checks show the bottom end is not in good shape and that the risk grows with age. In Singapore he had joked that he would need a new spine; he now takes the subject more seriously.
A long-standing problem
The bumps at COTA have frustrated F1 drivers and MotoGP riders for years. A major resurfacing took place in 2022 to reduce the worst irregularities. Before the 2026 race, the track was reworked again from the entry of Turn 9 to the entry of Turn 11, with smoothing at Turns 12 and 19.
For Verstappen that is not enough: he wants earthworks to reinforce the soil beneath the track, even though the job would be long and costly. He sees blaming the soil as an insufficient excuse, since the organisers should have known about it and reinforced it. He still regards COTA as one of the best layouts and venues on the calendar.
Russell and Norris agree
George Russell says circuits should be repaved every couple of years. He points out that current cars run a ride height of about 10mm at the end of the straights, so small bumps are felt strongly, and that 18-inch tyres, with their smaller sidewalls, absorb less of the impact.
Lando Norris, the reigning champion, says tolerances for recent circuits are now very small and that COTA does not meet them. He says the bumps make his head hit the headrest and that he sometimes takes a headache tablet before racing. In his view, drivers have raised the issue many times with limited results.
Key takeaways
- Verstappen calls the COTA bumps unacceptable and wants major work under the track.
- Russell and Norris confirm the problem, each with their own arguments.
- Part of the track was nevertheless reworked before the 2026 race, which Verstappen considers superficial.
Frequently asked questions
What is Max Verstappen's complaint about the Austin circuit?
He calls the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas unacceptable and out of control, especially in the braking zones into slow corners, and fears spinal damage for drivers.
Was the track resurfaced before the 2026 race?
Yes, a section was resurfaced before the Grand Prix, from the entry of Turn 9 to the entry of Turn 11, with smoothing at Turns 12 and 19. Verstappen considers the work superficial.
Do other drivers share his view?
Yes. George Russell wants tracks repaved regularly, and Lando Norris says the bumps make his head hit the headrest.
Sources
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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